ECNEC clears Tk 34.49b project to ensure nuclear plant safety

Published: November 05, 2019 15:12:27 | Updated: November 05, 2019 19:17:10

- Focus Bangla photo

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Tuesday approved six projects, including Tk 34.49 billion (3,449.05 crore) Physical Protection System (PPS) Project to Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.

The approval came from an ECNEC meeting held at NEC conference room with ECNEC Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

“Six projects were approved today involving an overall estimated cost of Tk 4,447.76 crore,” said Planning Minister MA Mannan while briefing reporters after the ECNEC meeting.

Of the cost, Tk 44.39 billion (4,439.86 crore) will come from the national exchequer while the remaining Tk 79 million (7.90 crore) from the own funds of the organisations concerned, Mannan said.

Of the six projects, five are new while another is revised one, UNB reports.

The Planning Minister said the Nuclear Security and Physical Protection System Cell and Bangladesh Army, Army Headquarters, GS Section (coordination) will implement the project by March 2023 from October 2019.

He said the experts concerned from Bangladesh Army in cooperation with their counterpart from Russian Federation will implement the project.

The main objectives of the project include ensuring security to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant through implementing the physical protection system alongside creating supporting environment for generating nuclear power in safe and protected manners.

The main project operations include some 300 acres of land acquisition, 1,214,678 cubic metres of land development, public works for security and physical protection system.